About Cryptocarya triplinervis R.Br.
Cryptocarya triplinervis R.Br. is a small to medium-sized tree that typically grows up to 20 m (66 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter at breast height of up to 60 cm (24 in). Its trunk is sometimes buttressed, with grey-brown bark that is mostly smooth, marked by lines of vertical bumps running along its length. Leaves are arranged alternately, and are egg-shaped, elliptic, or lance-shaped, measuring 45–135 mm (1.8–5.3 in) long and 15–50 mm (0.59–1.97 in) wide. They grow on a petiole 3–13 mm (0.12–0.51 in) long, and end in a prominent tip. The upper leaf surface is dark glossy green, while the lower surface is paler and hairy. Leaves are three-veined, with an easily visible midrib that is sunken on the upper surface and raised on the lower surface. Flowers are arranged in panicles that are as long as, or longer than, the leaves. They are cream-coloured to pale green and tube-shaped, with a floral tube 1.2–2.87 mm (0.047–0.113 in) long and 0.9–1.2 mm (0.035–0.047 in) wide. Tepals are 1.4–2.2 mm (0.055–0.087 in) long and 0.7–1.8 mm (0.028–0.071 in) wide. Outer anthers are 0.5–0.8 mm (0.020–0.031 in) long and 0.4–0.7 mm (0.016–0.028 in) wide, while inner anthers are 0.5–0.8 mm (0.020–0.031 in) long and 0.3–0.5 mm (0.012–0.020 in) wide. Flowering occurs from September to December. The fruit is a black drupe 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) long and 6.5–12 mm (0.26–0.47 in) wide that ripens from February to May. Three varieties of this species have distinct distributions and habitat preferences. Var. pubens grows in warmer, drier rainforest, sometimes alongside creeks and rivers, ranging from the Atherton Tableland in north Queensland to Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales, at altitudes between sea level and 750 m (2,460 ft). Var. riparia is endemic to Queensland, found between the Iron Range and Cardwell, growing in gallery forests along creeks and rivers, at altitudes from sea level to 400 m (1,300 ft). Var. triplinervis occurs between Townsville in central Queensland and Smoky Cape in northern New South Wales, as well as on Lord Howe Island. It grows in rainforest, southern beech forest, and littoral rainforest, from sea level up to 100 m (330 ft) altitude. Cryptocarya triplinervis var. riparia acts as a food plant for the larval stages of Graphium sarpedon, the blue triangle butterfly. For horticultural use, like most Australian Cryptocarya species, removing the seed aril is advised to help seed germination. Around 80% of treated seeds will germinate, which takes between three and six months. Plants grown in Brisbane generally take around five years to produce fruit.
